The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has unveiled its Class of 2026 nominees, and the list is one of the most diverse and genre-blending ballots in years, shining a bright spotlight on legendary R&B voices and creators who helped shape modern music across generations.
While the Hall has long been associated with rock music’s evolution, this year’s nominees reflect how R&B, soul, hip-hop and Black music at large are foundational to the very idea of rock and roll.
Lauryn Hill — Groundbreaking Hip-Hop and R&B Storytelling
One of the most buzzed-about entries on this year’s ballot is Lauryn Hill making her first appearance as a nominee. Her 1998 solo masterpiece The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill did more than break barriers; it became a cultural touchstone that blended R&B, soul, hip-hop and spoken word. It was the first hip-hop album to win the Grammy for Album of the Year, a testament to her profound impact on music and culture.
Hill’s voice and vision didn’t just top charts, they rewrote the rules of what mainstream music could talk about: identity, love, faith, and Black womanhood in powerful, poetic verse.
Luther Vandross — The Smooth Architect of Classic Soul
Also on the ballot for the first time is Luther Vandross, whose velvet voice became synonymous with romance and soul. His influence is etched into the DNA of R&B, from quiet-storm ballads to sell-out tours that showcased his commanding stage presence and unmatched vocal control.
Vandross’s catalog, full of timeless crooning hits and unforgettable performances helped define generations of R&B and romantic soul.
New Edition — The Boy Band That Redefined R&B Pop
Bringing early ’80s and ’90s R&B into the Hall’s spotlight is New Edition. From Candy Girl to Cool It Now, this Boston group helped define the modern R&B boy-band landscape and influenced virtually every subsequent act in the genre.
Their blend of tight harmonies, slick choreography, and chart-topping hooks helped move R&B toward the mainstream and paved the way for future stars.
Sade — Quiet Storm Royalty with a Global Legacy
Sade returns as a nominee this year after previous consideration, a reflection of her enduring artistry. With a sound that sits beautifully between R&B, soul and jazz, Sade’s music resonates globally, from Smooth Operator to The Sweetest Taboo.
Her smooth, sultry style helped define the “quiet storm” radio format and left an indelible mark on contemporary R&B aesthetics.
Mariah Carey — Pop-Soul Powerhouse With Unmatched Impact
Mariah Carey is a three-time nominee whose career stands as one of the most successful and influential in music history. She has 19 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits, the most for any solo artist in history, including the holiday favorite “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” She also has six Grammy Awards and hundreds of millions of records sold worldwide, and has helped define R&B’s crossover into pop supremacy while inspiring countless artists across genres.
Carey’s soulful vocal runs, songwriting skill, and trailblazing chart dominance bridge R&B, pop, and soul in a way few artists ever have, making her inclusion on the Rock Hall ballot a powerful recognition of her cultural weight.
Despite previous nominations in 2024 and 2025, Carey has yet to be inducted, but her repeated recognition highlights her enduring influence on Black music and global popular culture.
These nominations from Lauryn Hill’s trailblazing lyrical genius to Luther Vandross’s legendary soul, New Edition’s R&B pop innovations, and Sade’s global musical elegance underscore the fact that R&B and Black music aren’t just influences on rock and roll, they are core to its soul.
The final class of inductees will be announced this spring, but you can help get some of these artist inducted by voting! We came to together and did it last year, and we can do it again! Tap here to participate in fan voting!